TNAG-2091-FCO40-2977-Royal-Hong-Kong-Police-Force-1990 — Page 79

CONFIDENTIAL

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Politicisation of the Police

There is anxiety that the Police Force will become, increasingly, an executive arm of Government, in the manner of the French and many American forces, for exampl. There was much dismay at the phraseology used in the Hong Kong Political Adviser's letter of 23 October, 1989, to Mr Ji Shaoxiang of the New China News Agency (NCNA). The arrest of members of the April 5th Action Group was not order of the Government, but because they had broken the law. The Force must remain apolitical and impartial, and answerable only to the law.

on

Special Pension for Overseas Service (SPOS)

The SPOS arrangements are considered inequitable in as much as the base-line is set at the currency exchange rate prevailing on an officer's date of retirement. If the rate subsequently improves, he

loses out.

The Right to Retire before 1997

A

large number of both local and expatriate officers wish to be given the right to retire before transition, with immediate payment of pension. These officers take the view that compensation should also be payable, on the grounds that, as they have sworn an oath of allegiance to Her Majesty The Queen, such cannot be rescinded until death or retirement. The 1997 transition, therefore, amounts to abolition of

of office, with consequent loss of earnings and promotion prospects. You may be aware that, in Hong Kong, members of the RHKP and the Judiciary are required to swear such oaths.

Service beyond 1997

Members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service (HMOCS) wish to k now what sort of compensation arrangements will apply if they serve bey and 1997 and

and hence lose their membership of HMOCS. Both expatriate and local officers wish

wish to know, in Mr Maude's words (letter of 21 August, 1989), what measures are being contemplated to encourage officers to 'stay an'.

Future Employment by the Crown, for Officers who serve beyond 1997

Officers who serve bey and 1997 and then relocate to the United Kingdom (UK), either on retirement or resignation, wish to know if they will be barred from taking up a Crown appointment, on vetting grounds. These considerations apply also to the children of such officers.

CONFIDENTIAL